Four.

November 21, 2011 at 8:57 am · Filed under My daughters, Neve

My Neve,

You wake up grumpy in the morning. If it were up to you, you would watch morning TV and go to school when YOU were ready.

You are a character.

You love to make people laugh and smile.

You are always the star of the show.

You jump into things head first.

You are fearless.

You get mad and frustrated often when things dont go your way.

You remind me so much of me as a child.

You are definetly Mommy’s little girl.

You dont warm to everyone- but those you do, you love with all your heart.

I am absolutley in love with you- and we have a love affair only we understand.

You rule our house and you know it.

I adore you to the moon and back.

Love,

Mommy

Permalink Comments off

Four.

November 20, 2011 at 1:06 pm · Filed under My daughters, Sol

My girls turned 4 last week.. a letter to them.

My sweet Soleil,

She wakes up in the morning with a smile on her face, ready to conquer the world.

She is so easy to get along with that all the little girls surround her when she walks into preschool.

She shares.

She reasons.

“Mommy, can I wear a dress today?” she asks (if it were up to her she would wear one every day!)

She loves clothes just like her mommy.

When I am all dressed and ready for work, she will come over to me and give me a big hug and kiss because she likes what I’m wearing.

When she likes someone she cuddles up on them and lets them stroke her hair.

She’s stubborn like a mule which I think comes from her being a Scorpio. I wonder if she would be less stubborn if she were born on her due date in mid January (which would have made her a Capricorn)

She can drive me to the brink of insanity with that strong will of hers.

She sucks her thumb just like her Mommy did (for the first 7 years of my life!)

She is Daddy’s little girl- there is no way around that.

She is open to trying new foods, but new experiences scare her a bit (like when she ran for the hills when she saw a life size smurf when we were at the premier of the Smurfs movie).

Mature way beyond her years, she seems as though she already knows this world well.

Happy Birthday little lady.

My world is brighter because of my sunshine.

Permalink Comments off

You’re Never Too Old to Learn a Lesson

October 31, 2011 at 10:42 pm · Filed under "Lifestyle Change"

If you’ve been following my blog the past few weeks you know that I joined the gym about 7 weeks back.

I decided to change my lifestyle via what I eat and how I exercise.

Let’s just say, prior to joining the gym, I NEVER exercised before. I hate sweating and physical labor.

I like to sit around and be fanned by topless greased up men.

I’ve been VERY committed to my regimen and weight loss.

I go to the gym about 3-4 times a week.

This past week, I got a doctor’s note that stated that I was allowed to exercise. In Israel, you need one before you have a personal evaluation done, and before you have a regimen made up for you.

I arrived at the gym on Friday morning, ready for my personalized exercise plan. I knew that I would need to be weighed, so I made sure I was packing light.

I told the ladies at the counter that I was there for my evaluation with whatever trainer was available.

Since I have been at the gym for a few weeks now, I thought I knew all the trainers.

Well, I was wrong.

I was introduced to the trainer that was going to be building my plan.

The first thing I thought when I saw her was – I’m being punked….

I mean, the trainer did not look in shape.

She really didn’t.

I was taken aback.

I told her that I needed to use the restroom, and off I went to the front desk. I told them that I was a bit confused, and was asked to give her a chance. To that I hesitated, before being called back to the manager’s office.

He was a bit defensive off the bat and told me that he didn’t like it when people had preconceived notions about things, and that I really shouldnt judge a “book by its cover”

I informed him that I was the last to judge anyone else- especially regarding their weight- considering that I too am a curvy gal- and I am ALL about positive body image. He told me that she has a few kids and that’s what happens to some women- to which I stated, that my body is overweight and out of shape too- but I am not a personal trainer.

We spoke a tad longer and he understood where I was coming from and let down his guard. To him, his employees mean the world so he felt the need to protect them- which I commend.

He went on to tell me that she was in the police force for a few years and had the most and best experience from all the trainers. I felt horrible with my pre- conceived notions. I really felt like I was being taught a lesson….even at the age of 30.

Also? I felt like a tool.

Long story short, she built a work out plan for me, and I am keeping to it.

Have you ever judged someone who turned out to be completely different from what you had expected? if so- please share the wealth- I wont feel so alone and douchey.

Permalink Comments (3)

Comparing Apples to Jennifers

October 27, 2011 at 4:56 pm · Filed under My daughters, Parenting

My name, both first and last, are pretty ethnic.

I grew up in a school with people just like me (i.e children of middle eastern descent) so my name was pretty normal in the scheme of things, comparatively speaking of course.

I always loved my first name (Maya) but my last name has always been hard to pronounce.

I was reading an online article about a study that was done regarding ethnic names:

Two identical resumes were sent out for the same positions with two different names: One “English/ white ” name and one “Ethnic” name.

The “english/white” names got more interviews.

According to a study for the National Bureau of Economics, resumes and applications with names more commonly given to white Americans were 50 percent more likely to be contacted for job interviews than those applicants with names more associated with black/ middle eastern Americans.

I’ve been lucky enough to have a good amount of career experience and contacts under my belt to have my ethnic name not “matter” to potential employers, but I wonder just how my girls will be effected by their names.

I’ve always loved that my first name was different, that it stood out in a group or in a classroom. That’s why when it came time to naming my children, I knew that I wanted names that were going to be different, to stand out, yet not in a negative way. The names Neve and Soleil were different, but not enough for it to be a burden on them (at least I hope not).

When my girls were 2 years old I took them for a well check up. When I was about to write their names down on the waiting list, I had noticed that the name Soleil had already been written. There were two families in the waiting room: one white, and the other black. I wondered to myself for a moment which of the families would have gravitated toward the name Soleil like I had.

Turns out it was the white family who had also loved the name (made famous by Punky Brewster aka Soleil Moon Frye) and we were excited to find another couple who named their daughter Soleil… it’s as if we were given a confirmation that the name was OK and not too out there.

I read an article that said that the celebrity name that most parents regret giving their daughters is “Beyonce”

I could totally see why that would happen , since certain names tend to be fads.

I often get a head tilt when people hear my response after they ask me my girls names.

They don’t get it.

And that’s OK too.

I just hope that they grow up and tell me that they do love their names and that they were happy I named them something that was a bit unconventional.

And if they don’t – well…there’s always the Social Security Office.

What did you name your children (or want to name your children)- and what does it mean to you?

Permalink Comments (37)

Lifestyle Change: Week 6

October 24, 2011 at 9:19 am · Filed under "Lifestyle Change"

Let me just say this people:

Once you hit 30 (whether or not you have had kids) your body slows the F down.

I used to be able to shed 3 lbs a week on weight watchers back in the day. Sadly, it is no longer that way my friends.

The Jewish holidays have just come to an end here in Israel- which means there was LOTS of food involved.

I am happy to say I did not succumb to all the yumminess, and even managed to get to the gym 2-3 times per week.

I even took a spinning class: which was my first and last spinning class because OMG it kicked my ass. My body hurt for 3 days. It hurt in places I didnt even know could hurt.

My weight loss was a bit stalling though.

That is until something kick started the progress again:

STOMACH BUG FTW!

So yeah, woke up at 3AM this past Fri/ Saturday with that pit of the stomach feeling.

Shit was about to get real.

And so it did.

SEVERAL TIMES that night.

I puked into plastic bags I had in my room.

I puked into anything I could really.

It was bad.

I stayed in bed all of Saturday like a true wreck.

But dudes- lost more weight!

Starting Weight: 169.8

Current Weight 164.4

Total Lost: 5.4 lbs

(Goal: 20 lbs more to shed)

Hey, I’ll take it.

That’s averaging about a pound a week.

But besides for the weight loss, although minimal, I am definitely feeling it in my clothes. That makes me the happiest of all, because I have a closet full of clothes that I have not been able to wear for a while. I think the working out is toning my body, which is what I have needed for a while. Look, a post pregnancy twin belly is not sexy. I mean, sure there must be a market for it somewhere in some seedy underground chatroom. My stomach literally looks like a deflated balloon.

So saggy.

But at the end of the day, I dont really care- I never wore a bikini before, not gonna start now.

I’ll leave that to the professionals like Kim Kardashian.

How many more pounds and plastic surgeons will it take to make me look like this?

Permalink Comments (6)

Curvy Girl

October 20, 2011 at 9:07 pm · Filed under Curvy Girl Guide, What Did I write About this time?

I’m glad to announce that I am now a contributing writer for the Curvy Girl Guide- a website that I have loved from the start!

The site is about empowering women of all shapes and sizes.

I adore it.

I love that my voice can be heard.

Taken from the about section of CGG:

About

They want us to think we’re the minority.

That we are less because we’re more. We’re not.

It’s time for a revolution. You may not have heard us before, so this time, we’ll speak, LOUDER!

Our curves don’t define us, they amplify us.

We aren’t fat. We aren’t big boned.

We are gorgeous, sexy, desirable women.

We have value, and worth, and a voice.

And, we want you to listen, because we have something important to say. Between the yoyo diets, dressing room breakdowns, and calorie counting, real life happens.

We all have amazing stories to tell.

Funny stories.

Sad stories.

Real stories.

Your stories.

And they need to be told. Here.

In this community of women and teens, just like you.

So, welcome.

Join us on this revolution.

Of real women. Real Bodies. Real life.

*****************************************************

What I’m writing about this week at CGG:

Being the Primary Breadwinner of the Household

I have A LOT to say about this topic, as this has been my role for quite a few years now.

Post image for The Reality of Being the Breadwinner of the Household

What else have I written about?

Combating a Hairy Situation

as we all know.. ahem, I am of middle eastern descent and well… mybody hair is a burden I must bear.

Me this morning

Permalink Comments off

Wordless Wednesday: What Cup Are You?

October 19, 2011 at 12:44 pm · Filed under Wordless Wednesday

Permalink Comments (6)

Wordless Wednesday: Betty White Edition

October 12, 2011 at 11:41 am · Filed under Wordless Wednesday

Permalink Comments off

Charlie, We Hardly Knew You.

October 11, 2011 at 9:59 am · Filed under Pets

When I was a little girl, I would love listening to my father’s stories of owning a poodle when he lived in Denmark. I dreamt of having a dog of my own. My father would often take me to the pet store to pet puppies. Their little faces begging me to pick them up and care for them made my little heart melt.

My mother’s exact words about getting a dog was more or less “Over my dead body“- she was not a fan of animals, especially the thought of having an animal live in her house (plus I’m sure the work of caring for it would fall on her).

We lived in NY, and didn’t have much of a back yard, so owning a dog became a moot topic.

As I got older my love for animals diminished. I didn’t care much for them, and never felt the need to get a pet. In my mind they were dirty, ruined your stuff and were way too much responsibility.

Two months ago my sister-in-law called me up and said she was bringing a dog home. She found a small stray by her work and decided to take him in.

Since my sil lives in a house right behind our house, we thought it would be good for all of our kids to have a dog. Plus, we live in a farm town, so really it was a plus.

It was love at first sight.

I asked her if I could name him, she didnt mind.

He looked like a Charlie.

And so, it was.

I took most of the responsibility caring for Charlie. I fed him, gave him love and we bonded.

My daughter Soleil was SCARED TO DEATH of him, refusing to leave the house if he was outside.

Neve on the other hand loved him.

About 3 weeks in, Charlie went missing.

We never tied him up, so really- he could have been anywhere.

We had a theory that a next door neighbor wanted him gone, so they drove him out to the fields (which btw may have turned out to be true).

I was sad and so were the kids (you know, everyone except Soleil)

I missed my little bugger.

3 weeks later- my 9-year-old nephew came racing to my house telling me that he knew where Charlie was. A family had found him in the fields and when he approached them about the dog being his, they didn’t believe him and asked for proof.

I drove my car, with my iphone filled with pictures of Charlie and explained the situation to the family.

They believed me, and brought Charlie in from their backyard.

Once he saw me he jumped on me, and peed all over the floor. He was excited. He also inadvertently made me drop my iphone and cracked my screen. I didn’t care- Charlie was found!

I immediately went to the store, bought him a bright yellow collar with a name tag so that if he were to get lost again he could be returned.

He loved his freedom, roaming around the estate playing.

I really had a soft spot for him.

It was nice having him home.

But of course, nothing is forever.

I got a call.

Charlie was hit by a car.

He died.

My heart stopped.

I had just found him 3 days earlier!!

How was he dead?

My nephew saw him laying there on the side of the road, with his bright yellow collar.

A part of me wishes that I had tied him up, but what kind of life is that?

A part of me wishes that I would have left him with the other family. Maybe his fate would have been different?

Neve keeps asking when Charlie is coming home, and I say that he’s not- that his mommy found him and took him home.

I mean, how can you explain death to a 4-year-old.

I want to protect them and shield them from the sad and unfair in this world as long as I can.

Because it is sad and unfair.

I mean, I finally bonded with an animal for the first time in my life and I got burned.

Anyway.

Is there something I should be explaining to my kids about Charlie’s whereabouts, or should I just continue to say his mom found him and took him home?

Advice?

Permalink Comments (8)

Lifestyle Change: Week 4

October 10, 2011 at 9:57 am · Filed under "Lifestyle Change"

Last week I didn’t have a chance to post.

It didn’t mean that I was no longer sticking to my plan.

I have brought down my exercise to 3-4 times a week, not to overdo it of course.

But I am still enjoying it!

Starting Weight:

169.8

Current Weight:

165.4

Down:

4.4 lbs!

Boo- Ya!

I am averaging a pound a week- which is completely healthy.

Diet:

The MyFitnessPal app is really helping. I constantly update my food intake, that way I can manage what I eat and what I plan to eat. There has been a few Jewish Holidays the past 2 weeks, which equates to LOTS OF FOOD. I’m glad I stuck to my guns and did not overdo the food.

Most mornings I will eat a hard-boiled egg with light mayo, light bread and veggies. The protein keeps me full until lunch time when I usually have a large salad, chicken breast, rice.

I keep my dinner light to a salad or an omelette nothing too heavy before bed.

I don’t feel hungry because I am making the right food choices.

Exercise:

Kickboxing 2X a week (60 minutes each session)

I love it, it reminds me of the old Tae Bo I used to do (in cassette form back in the day)

Zumba 1X a week (60 minutes a session)

Cardio- elliptical and treadmill.

*I just signed up for a gym membership, and have been given a free session with a personal trainer- wondering how that will go *

Changes:

I am only slightly starting to feel it in my clothes. Four pounds isn’t much when you have 20 more lbs to shed, so I am aware it will take time to really feel it.

I love seeing the numbers drop on the scale, it keeps me motivated to go on.

LET’S KEEP THIS PARTY GOING!

Permalink Comments (3)

« Newer Posts · Older Posts »